Scary Prank: A True Scary Story

Black Cats at Halloween

Scary Things

“What’s the scariest trick you’ve ever pulled on someone ?” Halloween can bring out the best tricksters and that little saying: “the-devil-made-me-do-it” becomes a household phrase. Growing up with a houseful of brothers and a neighborhood full of boys kept my sister and me on our toes for plastic spiders, ex-lax chocolate bars and other spooky surprises. So, when it comes to pulling a prank or setting up a scare, it’s no wonder that I have a little sadistic streak in me as well.

I can tell you several stories of Halloween frights: drives through cemeteries at midnight, ghostly tales around campfires in the middle of the woods, or slumber party séances. Remember the character of Cato, in the Pink Panther? He would consistently hide and jump out at the Inspector…that would be me, even at my age, delighting in hiding behind a door while an unsuspecting family member is entering and then, ‘surprising’ him. Great entertainment for the child in me-not so much for the other person, although I haven’t been punched in the arm for it lately, the way my brothers used to do.

Still, I recall some pretty intense scares, mostly involving my late husband, but the one that I will share here is the time I gave my husband’s imagination a run for his money. You see, my husband loved horror movies and insisted on watching them-alone, because I couldn’t bear to watch them. If he did persuade me to see one, like the time I agreed to see Psycho II, I kept my eyes covered through most of the movie.

Karen Black-A Brief Bio

Karen Black: July 1, 1939-August 8, 2013.

Ms. Black, a character actress whose rise to fame occurred predominantly in the 1970s, died of complications of cancer in Los Angeles, California. She was 74.

Born in Park Ridge, Illinois, she was named Karen Blanche Ziegler. She attended Northwestern University before launching a stage career in New York. Her Broadway debut was in 1965 for the play, The Playroom.

Her 1970 screen hits include: Nashville, Easy Rider, and Five Easy Pieces, in which she played Jack Nicholson's girlfriend, earning her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She also starred in the 1975 series: Trilogy of Terror.

One of Ms. Black's last performances was in 2005, in the lesser known movie: My Suicidal Sweetheart.

Karen Black was married to Stephen Eckelberry at the time of her death.

Scary Movie: Trilogy of Terror

One evening I arrived home near midnight, after my afternoon shift ended, to find the house dark, save for the light from the living room television. As I entered the door I recognized the movie as one of the creepiest ones I have ever seen. How I ever stayed focused to the end of this movie I have no idea. Even stranger than that-I was alone!

It was called Trilogy of Terror and it starred Karen Black. This made for television movie was based on the story, Prey by Richard Matheson. The storyline is that Karen returns home with a birthday gift she bought at a local curio store: a statue of a Zuni warrior with the mission to kill. He looked fierce with his jagged teeth and sharp little spear. A little bracelet was entwined around his waist and when that bracelet fell off he came to life.

In the movie he chased Karen Black around her apartment making an awful sound of attack and gnashing his razor sharp teeth in attempts to bite her. Well, she finally was overcome and the last scene will forever stay in my mind: there she is hunched down awaiting the arrival of her mother, whom she despised, with the biggest butcher knife in her hand jabbing it up and down and gnashing her teeth.

Knowing what happened in the film I attempted to forewarn John of the outcome: he’ll scare himself, (he always did), it’ll disturb his sleep, he’ll be thinking of it for days, etc. None of this mattered, of course, because he wanted the thrill of being frightened.

The rest of the scary story

In our home, the laundry room was down in the basement…the spooky, creepy basement. This basement, which is in the house I grew up in, had quite a history of scary moments. It’s design provided all sorts of wonderful places to hide and jump out at or be the victim of someone jumping out at you. It also had a basement door that led to the outside. The staircase was right smack in the middle, not off to the side, and since the washer and dryer were around to the back, near the basement door, one could not see ‘up’ the stairs from the laundry area.

After the movie ended I asked my husband to do me a favor and move the clothes from the washer to the dryer on the pretense that I did not want them to get smelly sitting in the washer overnight. He was reluctant to do this, but finally agreed. As soon as he went downstairs I ran to the kitchen and got the biggest kitchen knife out of the drawer and went to the top of the stairs waiting for John in the exact position that Karen had taken waiting for her unsuspecting mother.

Poor John…preoccupied with the movie, he rounded the corner of the stairs only to look up and see me ‘acting the part of the possessed’. He made a dead stop, hesitated, gave a little nervous laugh, attempted a couple of steps and finally stopped again.

Stone silence from me other than the gnashing noises I was making and the sound of the knife hitting the floor boards.

“Okay, enough is enough now…I get your point, now knock it off.”

No comment from me, just the continued movement of the knife up and down into the floor and more throaty noise.

Oh, he was getting more scared and mad, yet this big guy refused to come up the stairs towards me! Instead, he turned around to the basement door and said, “Fine, I’ll just go around!”

Well, by the time he came up through the back door I had returned the knife and jumped into bed with the lights off. He got into bed and scolded me for my prank and I mumbled something about, “Maybe you shouldn’t be watching movies like that” and “I told you you’d be scared”.

Then, when everything was quiet I turned to him in the dark and made those awful gnashing noises one last time…

It’s shameful, I know, scaring a 200-pound man in the dark…I’m bad! But, boy it was fun and what a story to share with our friends. There was always much laughter following this tale.

I have some very fond memories of some of the fun, crazy and comedic antics my husband and I had. He was my soul mate and I am sure if he were around today we would be making more stories to tell, LOL

btrbell 4 years ago from Mesa, AZ

ooh that was bad! Fun hub!

Denise Handlon 4 years ago from North Carolina Author

I know, btrbell, bad and fun for me...thanks for reading. (Have you seen this movie?)

writer20 4 years ago from Southern Nevada

You sure have fun that night. I don't watch scary movies because they do keep awake.

Voted up and awesome, Joyce.

Ruchira 4 years ago from United States

Omg, Denise. Your hubby will never be moving clothes from washer to dryer anymore ;)

always exploring 4 years ago from Southern Illinois

I think It Is great that you and your husband were close enough that you could play a prank on him and he didn't get mad at you, or didn't stay mad. I love Halloween, but i hate scary movies.. Great hub..enjoyed...

Denise Handlon 4 years ago from North Carolina Author

Joyce--that is why I stopped watching the late evening news and will only watch it at dinner time...it disturbed my sleep so badly come 11:00 pm. Thanks, it was funny, (but not to him), and I DON'T watch scary movies. :)

Hi Ruchira-thank you for your comment. I"m sure he thought better of going to the basement while I was in the house, haha.

Hi Ruby-your words are so true. This was each of our second marriages and it took me a very long time to 'trust' his genuine laughter and easy going manner after living with a critical, high strung, (and cheating) husband. I love Halloween as well...John used to dress up in a dark, cape and mask and sit on the porch to spook the kids! He was nothing but a big kid himself at heart!

moonlake 4 years ago from America

Your bad. Your poor husband. My husband is a little jumpy and hard of hearing. So I sneak up on him and stand quitely behind his back he turns and there I am. Scares him heck out of him. Voted uP!

Denise Handlon 4 years ago from North Carolina Author

Yes I am...I will fully admit it, hee hee. And so are YOU! Thanks for your comment and vote. (I can't tell you how much diabolical delight I had in scaring him!)

Sunshine625 4 years ago from Orlando, FL

OMG you terrified me just from your prank! There is no way I would watch that movie. I would also have walked around like your husband did. Haha!

mary615 4 years ago from Florida

This was so much fun reading about your scary prank. Good one for Halloween!

I voted this UP, etc. and will share.

Nell Rose 4 years ago from England

Lol! this was so funny! I hate certain scary movies, my all time hated one was the horrible terrifying Hellraiser! I have no idea why, it just gives me the jitters! lol!

Jamie Brock 4 years ago from Texas

How funny... I love a good prank! I haven't done anything as far as being spooky but I did once put a large plastic roach in the microwave and when my husband opened it to put his food in he jumped back very quick. It was so funny! That video you shared... it was creepy but for some reason I couldn't stop laughing! I had never heard of that movie... I want to see the whole movie now :)

Stephanie Henkel 4 years ago from USA

OMG, what a mean thing to do to a poor defenseless 200 lb. man! :) I'm not sure I would have gone into a dark bedroom knowing you were there after that trick, and I definitely would have had to sleep with the lights on!

Denise Handlon 4 years ago from North Carolina Author

LOL Linda-you crack me up. Did you watch that video? Now THAT is spooky!

Thanks Mary-I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for the share. :)

I have NO idea what Hellraiser is, Nell...although I can guess. I dislike scary movies, LOL Thanks for stopping by.

Jamie-I hope you do get the movie to watch it. Be sure to see it with the lights off, haha. Funny prank on your hubby.

Hi Stephanie hahaha Yes, my guy would scare the pants off of himself and afterwards, watch it again LOL His worse movie was the exorcist. Once was enough for him on that one! He and I did get into some adventures! Thanks for reading.

tillsontitan 4 years ago from New York

I'm trying to decide if I would've shot you or left the house ;) Seems you do have a dark sense of humor but it also seems with your background it is very understandable. Amazingly it would seem he did talk to you again...nicely written and very interesting.

Voted up, funny, and interesting.

Denise Handlon 4 years ago from North Carolina Author

LOL I think I need to put a disclaimer at the beginning of this story: WAS YOUNG & STUPID! haha. Many years have passed since that event and I have 'matured' (ahem) and become 'wiser' in my ways (cough, cough...)

Well, there have been many changes in my life and one thing I can attest for is that, regardless of all the crazy and wild kinda stuff that happened in my marriage-and there were many, MANY adventures (see my humor & the belly laugh story...), my husband and I loved each other so we tolerated each other's shenanigans.

I love your comment, btw. Dark Humor...hmmm, I'll have to ponder that one, but I think there must be something to that...thanks for the read, comments and votes. :)

b. Malin 4 years ago

And Keeping in the Halloween Spirit, I say, Ah...SCARY! You are a real CUT UP Denise (Pardon the Pun). There's a little Dark Side to you, who knew? However, I confess, sometimes, I kinda of jump out of the Darkness, if it's late and Lover Man is in the bathroom. Ok, it's Sick, but FUN!

You see Denise I would quickly popped some corn and grabbed a chair.. and watched you.. hoping you'd spit up pea-soup and your head would spin.. and if that didn't happen.. I would have asked for a refund..LOL that that was a clever thing to do though.. yeah voted clever.. wait.. there's no clever button.. .. can I hit funny?

Denise Handlon 4 years ago from North Carolina Author

Hahaha, Yes, please hit funny, Frank...everyone else is giving me a hard time for being dark and dangerous, haha.

I laugh every time I picture this event...and, speaking of spitting up pea soup...well, that was John's all time favorite and most disturbing horror movie. He saw it before we met, but it gave him nightmares and had the hair on the back of his neck rising just talking about it. So...of course I couldn't let that one rest either and every now and then I'd do the 'weird voice' and crazy eye thing...LOL

Thanks for reading and I'm glad you liked it...

Dexter Yarbrough 4 years ago from United States

Denise! I love practical jokes and people that commit them on the unsuspecting! I bet you are a joy to be around. Great story! I would have went around as well. I wouldn't have known if you were joking or crazy!

Denise Handlon 4 years ago from North Carolina Author

Hi Dexter-thanks for your feedback. I'm glad that you see it as 'joking', which it was of course. Not everyone who read this had the same reaction. (oh, my kids would say I was 'certifiably' crazy, LOL). Thanks for stopping by. I hope you watched the debate last night. More resources for another great hub by you. :)

ImKarn23 4 years ago

i'm like you - eyes covered, cowed, and whimpering - if i find myself outnumbered and in front of a horror movie!

i'm thinking your husband had a VERY good sense of humor - if it were me - i'da either gone insane - or killed you!

BOO!

Fun hub, my friend!

voting up and sharing with the hub-munity!

Denise Handlon 4 years ago from North Carolina Author

My husband taught me to laugh at myself and not take life so seriously. He had a very easy going manner and an infectious laugh which he used frequently. I was divorced with two little girls dependent on me when he came into my life and made all the difference in the world.

Thanks so much for your comments. I'm shocked he didn't kill me, hahaha

Jools99 4 years ago from North-East UK

Denise, you are such a mischief maker! I am glad I am not in your house this Halloween, I would fear for my ticker!

Vinaya Ghimire 4 years ago from Nepal

We don't celebrate Halloween, but a similar kind of festival is marked in Nepal. I enjoyed reading your spooky story.

KDuBarry03 4 years ago

I would get along with your Husband really well; I love horror movies! I would sit there and watch the whole movie just thinking how it could be scarier haha! I won't lie here, but I think your prank is awesome and do it again haha!

Voted up and sharing!

Denise Handlon 4 years ago from North Carolina Author

Hi Jools-yes, I am, haha. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays-can you tell? Thanks for reading.

Keith, if you love horror movies than I am sure you would have gotten along well with my husband...and then I could have spooked both of you, haha. I'm so glad you enjoyed the prank and don't think I'm too wicked. Happy you read this on Halloween! Thanks for the share/vote.

Better Yourself 4 years ago from North Carolina

Funny story! I cannot bring myself to watch scary movies - I know it will lead to nightmares and a constant unsettled feeling, worried about every little noise in the house.

Denise Handlon 4 years ago from North Carolina Author

Glad you found it funny...I know I did when it happened! He was a big guy, loved to get scared, but spooked himself in the end, haha. Of course, I didn't help! Thanks for reading-I'm with you, don't like scary movies.

MartieCoetser 3 years ago from South Africa

Denise, what a great laugh you've given me with this one! You hubby must have been suspicious, calculating all possible scenarios.

What a horrible, terrifying, nerve-wrecking movie! I did enjoy these kind of movies when I was young - I was actually addicted to them when I was a teenager. But by the time I was 30 I was forever done with them. Ever since then even the background music, screams and shouts irritate the living daylight out of me.

And yet, the last story I've written (3 days ago) is an old-time horror... but actually only a 'suggestion', as 1000 words were the maximum allowed.

It is one thing to scare someone and another thing to be scared by someone.

Excellent, most enjoyable hub!

Denise Handlon 3 years ago from North Carolina Author

Hi Martie, I'd forgotten about this story I shared, ha ha. Oh, you are right-fun to be the prankster, but it sets you up for a payback! Thanks for reading and commenting. Enjoy your w/e.

Marsha Musselman1 3 years ago from Michigan, USA

My husband and kids used to be into scary movies, but I always had better things to do on the computer to care or think of scaring them after the movie was over.

Funny hub.

Denise Handlon 3 years ago from North Carolina Author

Thanks. I appreciate your reading and adding your experience here. :)

Denise Handlon 3 years ago from North Carolina Author

Did you know that Karen Black, star of Five Easy Pieces, and Easy Rider, died today: August 8, 2013, from cancer? She is survived by her third husband, Stephen Eckelberry.

Au fait 3 years ago from North Texas

I thought this would be a perfect hub for Halloween, which is just under a week away. People who like scary stories will enjoy this hub. I love the little black kitten in the photo. Voted up and, etc., also sharing with my followers.

Denise Handlon 3 years ago from North Carolina Author

Thanks Au fait. That little black kitten is our kitty: Taz, short for Tazmanian Devil. He was a wild one when he came to us, (stray we adopted), but he's a lovey dove now.

Shyron E Shenko 3 years ago

Funny Denise, did you cure your hubby's fondness for scary movies?

I don't care for scary movies, or having the daylights scared out of me.

I had to many things happen to me for real.

It is an interesting hub, will share with my followers.

DDE 3 years ago from Dubrovnik, Croatia

Scary Prank: A True Scary Story too much to handle here scary movies are some of my favourites

Denise Handlon 3 years ago from North Carolina Author

Shyron and DDE I really don't like scary movies AT ALL, however, I am kind of a prankster if the lesson warrants it. My husband continued to enjoy his scary movies. Thanks for reading and commenting. :) Don't let anyone scare you this Halloween!